Concrete block making apparatus



June 4, 1935. F. J. STRAUB 2,003,702

3 CONCRETE BLOCKYMAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 193:5- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNEY.

INVENTOR. V/r

June 4, 1935. F. J. STRAUB CONCRETE BLOCK MAKING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1953 I N VEN TOR. v

A TTORNEYI Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention is an improvement in the art of manufacturing concrete building blocks or the like in which a unit is formed in an open top and bottom mold, with or without transverse core 5 openings.

ISI

The invention consists in the means for forming the block in the mold initially, and then moving it with the mold to another location, with final ejection and removal.

Specifically, the operation comprises the following steps:

(a) Filling the mold and tamping the aggregate around the cores while the mold is supported on a fixed base;

(b) Withdrawingthecoresdownwardlythrough the base;

(0) Shifting the mold and formed block free of the cores laterally over a fiush supporting plate onto a pallet on a depressible platform under the ejecting means;

(d) Lowering the ejecting plate onto the top of the formed block in the mold;

(e) Slightly compressing the top of the block within the mold;

(f) Ejection of the block downward through the mold by the ejecting plate with corresponding lowering of the pallet and its platform;

(9) Removal of the block on its supporting pallet; and

(h) Return of the platform to initial position and placement thereon of another pallet.

In the meantime, the mold has been shifted to its initial position for reception and tamping of aggregate as before.

While the invention may be utilized in various embodiments .of operating means, and may be changed or modified in detail construction, one preferred form is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general plan view showing the mold in receiving and tamping position, and the laterally located compressor and ejector;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line IIII of Fig. 1, showing the cores lowered;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1, showing the mold and its contained block in position below the ejector;

Fig. 4 is a similar detail view showing the ejector plate just prior to its initial compressing action;

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 3, showing the block ejected downwardly from the mold onto the depressed pallet and its platform.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the filling and tamping position of the mold and B is the top compressing and ejecting position. The mold 2 is of usual construction, having an open top and bottom and rectangular side and end walls, preferably with terminal surrounding top and bottom flanges.

It will be understood that the mold in locatio A is in suitable relation to the usual reciprocable charging hopper 3 for supply of aggregate and below the customary tamps 4, adapted to compress the aggregate within the mold and around the cores 5. I

The mold is provided with an endwise extension 6 having a journalled terminal I engaging a stud 8 for horizontal support and swinging move ment. The mold is provided with a handle or other suitable element 9 by which it may be swung around on its journal bearing from position Ato position 3.

Cores 5, which may be of any suitable number, are connected at their bases with a supporting plate or frame It? actuated by vertically reciprocable framework, as a poster posts H, for upward movement through the open bottom of the mold box and with their upper ends flush with the top surface thereof, and lowering for clearance.

In operation, the cores when raised extend through suitable openings in a fixed supporting base plate l2 upon which the mold 2 is rigidly supported, whereby to provide the usual transverse core openings from top to bottom. When lowered, the tops of the cores are exactly flush with or slightly below the upper surface of base i 2, allowing for the lateral movement of the mold thereover.

At the ejecting position B, I provide a vertically adjustable platform I3 for reception of a supporting pallet M, the upper surface of. which is on the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the mold supporting base l2, when platform !3 is at its uppermost position, as in Fig. 2.

Between positions A and B is interposed an arc-shaped fiat smooth top supporting platform or trackway l5, the terminal edges and top sur: face of which make accurate contact with plat form 12 and pallet l4, whereby the tamped block and its mold may be moved laterally on pivotal mounting 8 from one position to the other.

Platform i3 is supported in any suitable manner, as by vertically adjustable posts l6 extending through a fixed supporting frame I I, the posts having abutments 18 for accurately limiting upward movement of the platform and itspallet with accurate arrest of such upward movement when the surface of the pallet is flush with the fectively resist the preliminary slight compressurface of platform I5.

The supporting framework of platform I3 is automatically elevated by any suitable means, as counterweights I9, connected by cables 20 running over sheaves 2| and attached to the platform posts, as at 22. A holding latch 23 is pivoted to platform l3, at 24, adapted to ride over and engage a holding stud 25 on frame I! to temporarily hold the platform in lowered position when depressed by the ejector. Upon releasing latch 23, the platform will automatically rise to the limit of its upward movement or until arrested by abutment collars E8.

The ejecting apparatus, operative at station B, is located above the platform I3 and its pallet 14, with ample intervening space for reception of mold 2 when swung around to such position.

The ejecting apparatus consists of a properly guided vertically movable cross head 26 actuated by suitable means, as a pitman 21, the cross head being engaged by oppositely located vertical guides 28 of suitable construction, whereby to maintain the ejecting mechanism in operative alinement with the mold and its contents when supported on pallet l4. Head 26 is provided with a pressing and ejecting plate 29 of the full interior area of the mold, connected with head 26 by struts or framing 30. 7

Depending from head 26 at each end are pairs of thrust rods 3|, the lower terminals of which when the ejector is at its uppermost position, are slightly above the upper surface of the mold for clearance in placing the mold in position, as in Fig. 2.

Rods 3! when the mold is so placed are in registering relation with suitable guides or openings in the mold, which may conveniently be in the form of tubes or pipes 32. The function of such rods is to effect depression of platform l3 and its pallet H in connection with the ejection of the formed block from the mold by plate 29.

It is desirable however, prior to the commencement of the ejecting movement of the block, to first slightly compress its upper surface say to the extent of one quarter inch more or less.

By so doing, the upper surface of the block is densified and smoothed, in addition to the usual smoothing action of hopper 3 in sliding backwardly over the filled mold. Such surface densification and smoothing is effected just prior to the contact of the terminals of rods 3| with the pallet M.

Thus, Fig. 4 shows the plate 29 on the upper surface of the block, flush with the top of the mold, and with the terminal of rod 3| out of contact with the pallet for a distance equalling the desired amount of top compression. Further downward movement of plate 29 thereafter effects downward discharge of the formed block from the mold with simultaneous lowering of the pallet and platform [3, until the latter arrive at their lowermost position, whereupon the latch 23 engages stud 25, temporarily holding the platform in lowered position, as in Fig. 5.

Thereupon, elevation of head 26 withdraws rods 3| from engagement with the mold upwardly to the raised position in Fig. 2, allowing for reverse swinging movement of the empty mold to its initial position. The formed block may be removed on its pallet I 4 for drying or storage, a fresh pallet is placed on the platform, latch 23 is released and platform [3 automatically resumes While ordinarily the counterweights l9 will efsion of the top of the block under pressure of the ejector, it may be desirable under some circumstances to positively arrest platform [3 in its upper position, in opposition to such preliminary surface pressure.

In such case, temporary supporting means may be utilized, as adjustable stops 33, which may be thrust underneath the platform and withdrawn for clearance, by any suitable actuating mechanism.

It will be understood that the entire construction is to be accurately located and mounted on suitable supporting means, as a frame or foundation, whereby to maintain the three trackway elements l2, l5 and the adjustable pallet I4 in exact horizontal alinement with each other to successfully effect the lateral shifting of the block in transit from position A to position B.

By such movement over the surface of base I2 and platform l 5 the lower face of the block is effectively trowelled, imparting to it a smooth finished surface and compensating for any undesirable irregularities. In addition to the smooth surface on the top of the block, by plate 29, the sides and ends of the block are also further finished and smoothed by their downward ejection through the mold, so that the block as a whole is provided on all of its exterior surfaces with approximately smooth finished faces.

Likewise the inner core surfaces are smoothed to an extent by downward withdrawal of the cores prior to the lateral shifting.

While the annular swinging movement of the mold is conductive to easy starting off from the surface of base l2 and movement over the surface of trackway plate l5, and onto pallet M, the two stations A and B may be located in alinement, with a straight connecting trackway. Also, if desired one or a plurality of such stations may be arranged around a common center, with suitable rest periods, as in turntable construction.

It will be understood of course that in making solid blocks, the cores may be dispensed with, the operation otherwise being as above described.

The'mechanism above described is capable of use in rapid continuous commercial manufacture of concrete building blocks or other similar units, in a highly satisfactory and efficient manner, and with a resulting high grade product.

It avoids the usual complications present in many machines now in common use of forming and ejecting the block at the same location or operating station.

The speed of operation is increased by enabling the user to resume filling and tamping during the time that the finished block is being removed.

The apparatus is comparatively simple, cheap to construct, not liable to get out of order, and capable of long continued use with but slight wear, repair ,or replacement.

The resulting block likewise is a highly finished product having the qualities and advantages above pointed out.

What I claim is:

1.. Concrete block making apparatus comprising a molding station localizing a stationary mold supporting base and filling and compressing means, an ejecting station localizing a depressible pallet supporting base and superimposed top compressing and downward ejecting means, a supporting platform between said bases, a mold box movable over the platform from the stationary base to and upon a pallet on the depressible base when the latter is erected, and

means co-acti ng with the ejecting means adapted to engage the pallet after top compression.

2. In combination with a mold supporting trackway and a horizontally supported mold box movable thereover, a depressible platform providing a support for a pallet flush with the trackway, reciprocable ejecting mechanism provided with a pressing plate and thrust rods normally elevated to admit of mold box placement thereunder and upon the pallet, means for lowering the ejecting mechanism to bring the plate into contact with the mold contents and the thrust rods into contact with the pallet, and means opposing downward pressure on the platform adapted to raise it to normal position after ejection of the mold contents and removal of the mold.

3. In combination with a mold supporting trackway and a horizontally supported mold box movable thereover, a depressible platform providing a support for a pallet flush with the trackway, reciprocable ejecting mechanism provided with a pressing .plate and thrust rods normally elevated to admit of mold box placement thereunder and upon the pallet, means for lowering the ejecting mechanism to bring the plate into contact with the mold contents and the thrust rods into contact with the pallet, means opposing downward pressure on the platform adapted to raise it to normal position after ejection of the mold contents and removal of the mold, and a releaseable latch for temporarily holding the platform in lowered position.

4. In combination, a stationary mold support having a core opening therethrough, a vertically movable core depressible through said opening, a mold box slidably mounted on the base, filling and compressing means above the mold box, a mold box supporting platform flush with said base and with a supporting pallet, a depressible pallet support, ejecting means above the pallet support provided with a pressing plate adapted to first slightly compress the upper surface of the block in the mold and with thrust rods adapted to then engage and depress the pallet during further ejecting movement of the plate, and means for temporarily holding the pallet support in lowered position.

5. In combination, a stationary'mold support having a core opening therethrough, a vertically movable core depressible through said opening, a mold box slidably mounted on the base, filling and compressing means above the mold box, a mold box supporting platform flush with said base and with a supporting pallet, a depressible pallet support, ejecting means above the pallet support having means for forcing the block downwardly through the mold box and for lowering the pallet and its support, means for temporarily holding the pallet support in lowered position, and'means for re-erecting the pallet support, said ejecting means being provided with a pressing plate adapted to first slightly compress the upper surface of the block in the mold and having thrust rods adapted to then engage and depress the pallet during further ejecting movement of the plate.

FRANCIS J. S'I'RAUB. 

